The upper midwest is cooling down while its theater & film scenes heat up! New films dance across screens of all sizes, live productions wait around every turn. It is finally that time of year: The ‘Ber months bring with them a swell of talent spanning our entire neck of the woods.
Welcome back to Script & Screen! I’m Morgan and you’re reading the third edition of this newsletter.
The idea behind this publication is simple: Within each edition you’ll find musings from the film and theater scenes in Minnesota and the upper midwest. We celebrate the scripts, the people, and the craft required to bring the magic of these collective industries to life.
Today, we revisit a riverside evening stage under the stars!
OVERTURE:
It is officially fall— soundscapes abound! While the dancing of fallen leaves across your street may be ambient enough, I implore you to indulge in Andy Mor’s featured piece, THRILL-O-WEEN, further down in this edition. His short dance film inspired by Michael Jackson’s Thriller is the perfect mood setter ahead of Halloween.
Overtures are pieces of music used in theater and film to set the tone and mood before the beginning credits or curtain.
THIS EDITION’S HIGHLIGHT REEL:
Mary Poppins: Broadway on the St Croix
Twin Cities Film Festival (Preview)
Molly Ringwald coming to Fargo, ND
Message from The House
Mary Poppins and the joy of joining in
Contemplating the theatrical ties that bind us together, on and off the stage.
The cast of Mary Poppins: Broadway on the St. Croix! are applauded after a musical number. Behind them, the pit orchestra musicians are featured atop the stage. This production was put on by Frosted Glass Creative.
EXT. THE BANKS OF THE ST. CROIX RIVER, STILLWATER, MN - SUNSET
POP. I flit the legs of my camp chair into formation as I build a nest of sorts in the grass. Small cooler of summer sausage and crackers in tow, I’m facing a quaint outdoor stage with the St. Croix River as its backdrop.
Tonight, I’m here to see the final show of Mary Poppins: Broadway on the St. Croix, a production put on by Frosted Glass Creative. Aside from the iconic story of Mary Poppins herself, a stacked cast of local talent has drawn me and many others in over the course of its weekend-long run.
A riverside theatrical performance peppered with nostalgic music and audience participation to boot? Simply put, this is the perfect Sunday evening.
Stillwater is a huge reason for the draw, too— it is quintessential upper midwest. Located close enough to the Twin Cities to be considered part of “the Cities” by rural standards, but far enough outside of the Cities to be considered “rural” by metro inhabitants, it sits along the banks of the St. Croix River. Cliffs and water and shops and tourist attractions can be seen everywhere you look. In the greater surrounding area, you’ll find both bustling cities and open roads giving way to rolling hills and breathing room.
Like Ely, MN, its beauty is emblematic of the greater upper midwest.
There’s no better place to be transported back to 1910’s London to watch a magical nanny dance around a stage.
After trading free-will donations for cheddar and caramel popcorn, I mosey back to my chair. Here, sitting in the beautiful weather amongst happy theatergoers, everyone around me is leaning into the quaintness of the event. Some have pulled wagons of supplies in to enjoy the show in style, while others lie back or sit on picnic blankets with friends, family, or simply themselves.
To my left, a man sits down and begins setting up what looks to be a painting easel. He is going to be doing a live painting the show.
I want you to really picture this for a moment.
When was the last time you were sitting in a public lawn with your community, about to partake in a group experience? When was the last time you saw someone capture the magic of a live moment with a brush and paint, simply because they wanted to?
I’m unable to answer that for myself.
All I know is that I want— no, need— more of this in my life.
Tonight’s production incorporates audience participation. We were handed small bottles of bubbles as we entered, then told which song to listen for and assured that the “right moment to blow the bubbles would be very clear”. In case this production is hosted again, I’ll keep the mystery alive as to which song that is.
After enjoying a splendid show up to this point, I start to see theatergoers shifting in their seats as that specific song begins. Adults and children alike can’t wait to pop their bottles, and a cloud of bubbles begins to fill the air.
Blowing my bubbles along with the crowd, I come alive. Not just visibly— I’m smiling so wide my cheeks are hurting —but in my heart, too. I’m free to be giddy here.
Blowing my bubbles along with the crowd, I come alive. Not just visibly— I’m smiling so wide my cheeks are hurting —but in my heart, too. I’m free to be giddy here.
The cast of Mary Poppins performing one of the final numbers of the show.
EXT. THE BANKS OF THE ST. CROIX RIVER, STILLWATER, MN - NIGHT
Later, after the final applause has concluded, I’m slow to pack up my things and walk back to my car. Stillwater has a habit of making you want to stick around awhile.
I listen in as people around me start reflecting on the show. The lingering excitement hangs in the air, all ages breathing it in.
It won’t be long before I’m scraping Frosted Glass Creative’s website for future shows— of which there are many amazing productions to choose from — but right now, I’m still sitting with the creativity displayed here tonight.
Stillwater has a habit of making you want to stick around awhile.
From the vocal performances to the acting, the choreography, the instrumentals, the set design, the audience experience, all the way to the backdrop of the river and the second-act moonlight itself— this production was a thing to behold.
There’s one other aspect of the show that brought the emotions I’m feeling to the forefront, though: the audience.
An engaged, supportive audience can propel a show from good to great, and from amazing to transformative. The community leaned into that responsibility well tonight. It’s because of the people around me clapping, singing along, and laughing that I felt free enough to join in.
Joy is contagious, and spaces for community engagement are typically a reliable place to find it.
Driving home under the stars, I’m ready to find more.
FROM THE SCREEN:
Next edition, we’ll be exploring the Twin Cities Film Festival. Though the festival itself boasts a whopping 140+ films— including Don’t Move starring Yellowstone’s Kelsey Asbille, a conversation with Josh Duhamel, and Magpie (with Daisy Ridley in attendance!)— it also includes “a record number of local productions and Minnesota-connected feature films […]” TCFF continues:
Nearly 40% of TCFF’s features and shorts programming this year are works that were either filmed in the state or are tied to Minnesota talent on both sides of the camera. “From the very first year of this festival, our focus has been on showcasing, celebrating and elevating local talent,” said TCFF Executive Director Jatin Setia. “For the 15th anniversary, our programming team cast the widest net in our history, seeking out the Minnesota productions, stories, actors and producers who are reshaping the movie industry. I couldn’t be prouder of the program they’ve come back with, and I can’t wait to experience these films alongside local audiences. There’s so much joy, creativity and talent on display here, it’s truly overwhelming.”
Script & Screen will be in the audience at a number of films and panels throughout the festival’s 10-day stretch!
BALCONY-EYE VIEW:
Molly Ringwald at the 2025 Fargo Film Festival
The festival, running from March 18-22, 2025, will be featuring a special screening of The Breakfast Club on March 22nd with Molly Ringwald in attendance, followed by a live conversation and Q&A with her after the film. Presale tickets are on sale now.
Showings are still ongoing after Des Moines’ 48-Hour (Horror) Film Project
They’ve also submitted the Best Film from their other 48-Hour Film Project to represent Des Moines against other city winners from around the world at Filmapalooza 2025 in Seattle.
Hadestown the Musical is coming to Sioux Falls in January
With a laundry list of awards backing it, the show is sure to sell out as it passes through South Dakota!
FEATURED PIECE: ANDY MOR’S THRILL-O-WEEN
I was lucky enough to see Andy Mor’s Thrill-O-Ween, a dance short film inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, at the Minnesota Film Festival in Duluth earlier this year. Andy’s work is worthy of repeat festival celebration (and more)— I’ll be seeing it again at the Twin Cities Film Festival later this month.
Watch the short film here!
INDUSTRY DATES & DEADLINES
Highlighting news, dates, deadlines, and events across Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota. As Script & Screen grows, one of our goals is to curate deeper catalogs of these happenings!
The Cedar River Film Festival in Iowa begins on November 1st!
Submissions are open for the 2025 Beloit International Film Festival in Wisconsin.
Refocus Film Festival is kicking off this Thursday, October 17th!
Cash prizes will be given to the best film-themed float, walking group, or band at the Halloween Parade this Saturday, October 19th, in Dubuque, Iowa!
Message from The House:
You hear people talk about times of the year that either light a fire beneath them or lull them into a quiet season. The winter months often bring cravings for hibernation. Summer rages with life and activity. In my life, October burns warm with new energy that sustains me creatively for several months. I truly come alive.
On the other side of my first creative jolt of the season, I bring you the third edition of this newsletter. Still mulling over every aspect of this publication— from its cadence to its contents— I’m continuing to prioritize “done, not perfect”.
In my research for this edition, I was reminded once again that the film and theater communities in this area of the world are far more vast than I think even seasoned professionals might realize. You could spend hours trying to wrangle a list of every festival and theater and still barely scratch the surface.
I was surprised to learn though, that for every person who is plugged into these happenings and supporting them regularly, there are (anecdotally) another 30-40 who have yet to really be introduced to these spaces. That is such a huge area of opportunity for each industry and for the future of both crafts in the region.
We are reminded then that Script & Screen’s mission is tightly aligned with the current heartbeat of the film and theater communities in our area, and we are only just getting started. I hope you’ll subscribe and enjoy the ride along with me.
My name is Morgan Wall and I am an aspiring filmmaker and playwright. I’ve been writing my entire life, sometimes having the opportunity to read and perform those writings. I created Cultivate Curiosity, giving me the chance to meet and interview fascinating people creating in their fields. I’ve performed in full and one-act plays, musicals, and competitive speeches. I’m currently writing a fictional novel, as well.
That’s curtain!
Ugh, I am loving this installment! Such a great point about theater being a place for community. Sometimes I feel like we are starving for a sense of community, especially compared to past generations and times in America. Also, the St. Croix River holds a special place in my heart with some of my most treasured memories. What a neat location for an outdoor performance!
Another great edition Morgan! Your writing style warms my heart! Keep on killing it!